Detail: Renowned for his novel Ugetsu monogatari (Tales of Moonlight and Rain), Ueda Akinari (1734-1809) was a Japanese novelist, poet, and scholar active in the Kamigata region (cities of Kyoto and Osaka). This exhibition brings together Akinari's classical and colloquial literary works as well as the paintings and calligraphies by the many literary figures and painters with whom he associated. This exhibition introduces rich and diverse literary and art world of the latter eighteenth century as seen through the eyes of this unique figure.

Saturday, July 17 to Sunday, August 29, 2010
Special Exhibition Hall





Exhibition
New Acquisitions

This annual exhibition presents works of art and cultural assets acquired by the Kyoto National Museum in fiscal year 2008 and 2009.

Saturday, July 17 to Sunday, August 29, 2010
Special Exhibition Hall





Special Exhibition
Commemorating 60 Years Since the Enactment of the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties of Japan
Transmitting Robes, Linking Minds--The World of Buddhist Kasaya

The kesa (Skt., kasaya), or priest's stole, appears prominently among the garments worn by Buddhist priests. Temples in Japan treasure the kesa reputedly worn by eminent Heian-period (794-1185) priests, such as the founder of the Shingon sect Kukai (774-783) and the founder of the Tendai sect Saicho (767-822), and renowned Zen masters, such as Wuzhun Shifan (J., Bujun Shbhan, 1178-1249) and Muso Soseki (1275-1351). This exhibition -the first of its kind- brings together these and other works to trace Buddhism in Japan and the history of textiles as seen through the kesa.

Saturday, October 9 to Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Special Exhibition Hall





Special Exhibition
Celebrating Fifty Years of the Ueno Collection at the Kyoto National Museum
The Unfathomable Realm of Ink: Chinese Paintings and Calligraphies (tentative title)

This year marks fifty years since the donation of the Ueno Collection - the nucleus of the museum's Chinese paintings and calligraphies. Included in this generous gift is the celebrated album of rubbings from the Song steles engraved with the calligraphy by Wang Xizhi, which is the most famous example of Wang Xizhi's Seventeen Books of Exemplary Calligraphy. To commemorate this major milestone, this masterpiece along with other related works will be exhibited. We hope visitors to the museum will take this opportunity enjoy the subtle beauty of Chinese paintings and calligraphies.

Saturday, January 8 to Sunday, February 20, 2011
Special Exhibition Hall





Exhibition
Celebrating125 Years Since the Birth of the Artist
The Seal Engraver Sonoda Kojo (tentative title)

The renowned seal engraver Sonoda Kojo (1886-1968) was closely connected to the Kyoto National Museum. Today, we can see his calligraphic work, which was used for characters "Kyoto National Museum" in the frame above the entrance of the Special Exhibition Hall. Sonoda Kojo also associated with cultural figures of his time, such as the painters Tomioka Tessai (1873-1924), Hashimoto Kansetsu (1883-1945), and Kanda Kiichiro (1897-1984), and engraved many of their personal seals. To celebrate the 125th year of his birth and recall his achievements, this commemorative exhibition will present works and materials related to this figure.

Saturday, January 8 to Sunday, February 20, 2011
Special Exhibition Hall





Special Exhibition
Commemorating the 800th Memorial of Honen Shonin
The Buddhist Master Honen and the Path to the Pure Land (tentative title)

Honen Shonin (1133-1212), the founder of the Pure Land Sect, Jodo Shu, taught the nenbutsu, or chanting the Name of Amitabha Buddha, Namu Amida Butsu, for the salvation of all people in the late Heian period (794-1185). This exhibition commemorates 800 years since the passing of this Buddhist master by presenting his life and teachings through various cultural objects. Highlighted will be the National Treasure biography on Honen, Honen Shonin den (Life of Honen, also known as the Biography in Forty-eight Scrolls). Works related to Master Honen's followers and contemporaries will also be exhibited.